Method and apparatus for supporting a dental X-ray sensor

ABSTRACT

There is disclosed a method and apparatus for positioning an electronic dental X-ray sensor in a dental patient&#39;s mouth comprising the steps of: selecting a film positioner having an easel supported on a formed rod; assembling the electronic sensor to the film positioner to form a sensor assembly; covering the sensor with a syringe sleeve; and positioning the sensor assembly so that the electronic sensor is in position in the patient&#39;s mouth for recording an X-ray image.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present U.S. Patent Application claims priority from earlier filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/588,454, filed Jul. 16, 2005 and entitled “Method and Apparatus for Supporting a Dental X-Ray Sensor.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to dental X-ray equipment and, more particularly, to apparatus and methods for positioning and supporting dental X-ray sensors within the mouth of a dental patient.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Traditionally, film for obtaining X-ray images of a person's teeth have been packaged in a cardboard or plastic carrier that includes a tab to be folded outward at approximately a right angle. The carrier is positioned alongside of the teeth and the patient is instructed to bite down against the tab of the carrier that is placed between the teeth to be imaged on the sensitized film within the carrier when exposed to the X-ray energy. A disadvantage of this system is that the carrier is a stiff, thin material that is uncomfortable for many patients because it tends to dig into the patient's cheek.

In a conventional alternative to the film carrier with the fold-out tab, the film carrier is placed on a wand-like positioner tool that places the carrier in position in the patient's mouth without having to bite down on it. While more comfortable, it requires that someone hold the positioner in the correct position to expose the film correctly.

Recent advances in the electronic arts have produced an X-ray sensor device that substitutes for the film carrier. It is positioned and exposed similarly to the traditional film carrier but has the significant advantage that it records the image electronically, obviating the conventional film development process. However, the problem remains as to how best to hold the sensor in position in the patient's mouth. The sensor lacks a tab to bite down upon and must be held in position by other means. What is needed is a device and/or method of positioning the sensor that is comfortable, easy to use, and provides consistent, repeatable results in the X-ray images.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly there is disclosed a method for positioning an electronic dental X-ray sensor in a dental patient's mouth comprising the steps of: selecting a film positioner having an easel supported on a formed rod; assembling the electronic sensor to the film positioner to form a sensor assembly; covering the sensor with a syringe sleeve; and positioning the sensor assembly so that the electronic sensor is in position in the patient's mouth for recording an X-ray image. The sensor is assembled to the positioner using a SensorStik adhesive pad to the outer side of the easel of the positioner; attaching the electronic sensor to a second side of the SensorStik adhesive pad; and routing the signal lead of the adhesive pad away from the sensor and the formed rod of the positioner.

In another aspect, there is disclosed an apparatus for positioning an electronic dental X-ray sensor in a dental patient's mouth comprising: a film positioner having an easel having an outer side and supported at a distal end of a formed rod attached to the easel; an electronic dental X-ray sensor having a mounting surface and at least one signal lead; and a SensorStik adhesive pad having first and second opposing sides, each side coated with a non-toxic, low-tack adhesive, wherein the SensorStik adhesive pad is pressed between the outer side of the easel and the mounting surface of the sensor to form an assembly. The assembly is enclosed in a syringe sleeve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates steps one through six of a method for positioning an electronic dental x-ray sensor according to the disclosed invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated the set of steps one through six of a method for positioning an electronic dental x-ray sensor according to the disclosed invention. The method makes use of a SensorStik (trademark registration applied for) device, a small rectangle of non-toxic, synthetic foam having a low tack adhesive applied to at least a portion of each planar side of the rectangle. The rectangle is approximately 12 mm×56 mm×2.5 mm in dimensions. The adhesive on each planar side is protected by a peel-off strip that is removed just before use. The SensorStik devices or pads may, for example, be conveniently furnished in packages of two dozen foam devices along with illustrated instructions for use.

Before proceeding with step one, the user is instructed as follows. Remember to glove up (put on a pair of sterile gloves) before placing an x-ray sensor in a patient's mouth to avoid cross-contamination. For those who use the type of sleeve that holds the sensor snugly, rather than an air-water syringe sleeve, the adhesive on the SensorStik is non-toxic, but you may want to use a new one for each shot. The SensorStik is a versatile device and works with many of the sensor devices presently on the market.

In step one, after putting on the sterile gloves and choosing the correct positioner for a particular x-ray image, grasp the SensorStik pad by the non-adhesive portion and peel off the adhesive backing from a first side of the pad, as shown.

In step two, attach the side of the SensorStik pad having the exposed adhesive to your normal film holder. Note that the correct side of the film holder is the outer side, opposite the positioner rod, as shown in the photo for step two.

In step three, carefully peel off the adhesive backing on the second or remaining side of the SensorStik pad, making sure that the glove does not touch the adhesive surface. The reason for this is that most gloves will leave behind enough powder to interfere with the adhesion of the SensorStik pad to the sensor when it is attached in the next step.

In step four, place the flat side of the sensor against the exposed adhesive, and squeeze gently to make sure the sensor is held firmly in place. Try to install the sensor above the extension portion of the film holder to avoid getting images of the positioner rod or other artifacts in the x-ray image. Also, if the weight of the particular sensor requires two SensorStik pads to support it, then do so.

In step five, drape the sensor wire gently around the positioner rod to hold it out of the way. Do not wrap it tightly, to avoid straining the wire. Also, be careful not to drape the wire between the x-ray head and the surface of the sensor, to avoid an artifact that may result.

In step six, using an air-water syringe sleeve (be sure to avoid using one with holes or openings) cover the sensor and positioner assembly. Once the sleeve is in place, as well as between x-ray exposures, the sensor and positioner assembly may need to be squeezed to re-secure the sensor to the positioner, then expose the x-ray sensor to form the image.

While the invention has been shown in only one of its forms, it is not thus limited but is susceptible to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof. 

1. A method for positioning an electronic dental x-ray sensor having a signal lead in a dental patient's mouth, comprising the steps of: selecting a film positioner having an easel supported on a formed rod; assembling the electronic sensor to the film positioner to form a sensor assembly; covering the sensor assembly with a syringe sleeve; and positioning the sensor assembly so that the electronic sensor is in position in the patient's mouth for recording an x-ray image.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of assembling comprises the steps of: attaching a first side of a SensorStik adhesive pad to the outer side of the easel of the film positioner; attaching the electronic sensor to a second side of the SensorStik adhesive pad; and routing the signal lead away from the electronic sensor and along the formed rod of the film positioner.
 3. An apparatus for positioning an electronic dental x-ray sensor in a dental patient's mouth, comprising: a film positioner having an easel having an outer side and supported at a distal end of a formed rod; an electronic dental x-ray sensor having a mounting surface and at least one signal lead; and a SensorStik pad having first and second opposing sides, each side coated with a non-toxic, low tack adhesive, wherein the SensorStik pad is pressed between the outer side of the easel and the mounting surface of the sensor to form an assembly.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: a syringe sleeve for enclosing the assembly.
 5. A device for removably securing a dental X-ray sensor on a positioner, comprising: a sensorstik layer having a low tack adhesive on first and second sides for being pressed between the sensor and an easel attached to the positioner.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the sensorstik layer is a thin, rectangular pad fabricated of a synthetic, non-toxic foam material.
 7. The device of claim 5, wherein the low tack adhesive is protected by a peel-off backing until use. 